MAORI WAR EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 22, 20 October 1944, Page 4

MAORI WAR EFFORT

Desire.To Retain Existing Organization

VALUE IN POST-WAR YEARS

The unanimous opinion that the organization which had successfully carried through the Maori war effort should be retained to further Maori aspirations during the post-war years was expressed yesterday by delegates to the Maori conference being held in Wellington. It was stressed that the conference had indicated that the Maori people were at last united, and that no better opportunity for united action in the future was offered than through that organization. The release shortly of some 200 Maori prisoners of war who were stationed in eamps in Germany, was indicated yesterday by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, when addressing the conference. They would have the opportunity of visiting Britain, but as soon As possible they would be returned' to this country.

Mr. Jones paid a tribute to the Maori race in its fine response to the war effort. As a consequence of approaches made to him the Maori battalion had been created and had established a magnificent record. Altogether 3342 Maoris had gone overseas, of whom 500 had lost their lives. During his tour of the Middle East he had visited Takrouna, scene of epic feats by members of the battalion. The Maori Battalion had some splendid leaders, said Mr. Jones, in referring to the appointment of Lieut.-Colonel C. Awatiri as its commander. General Freyberg had recognized the possibilities of leadership among Maoris. Where these were clearly indicated he was ready to give suitable recognition. New Zealand could not expect to carry a large population if the land were devoted entirely to sheep and cattle, said the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Roberts, in an address to the conference. Tenacre farms adjusted to small culture would occupy -more people than dairy and sheep farms. The first essential for the Maori race was to supply the_ir, own domestic needs. Everyone in the pa, in the tribe and in the family could be found work around the homes. The Native Department was providing assistance in regard to horticulture. It was entirely wrong that Maoris should be providing labour to assist in Chinese. Hindoo or pakeha gardens, said Mr. Roberts. Maoris should be concentrating on their own schemes for growing their own supplies. However, this could only be achieved if they showed leadership and ability to accept responsibility. The land', leadership and self-reliance were the three important factors for the proper accomplishment of Maori aims, said Mr. Roberts. The Maori race could reveal itself as a great, race within, the next 25 or SO years, and the same was true of the pakchas in the building of the new world order, if the creative faculties resident within the body, soul and mind were properly exploited l . And it was on the land more than anywhere else that the Maori people were nearest to their destiny. They were indebted for what had been accomplished in the past to Sir Apirana Ngata, said Mr. Roberts, and to the Native Department for what had been followed up, but in the final analysis much depended on the people themselves. He would always be ready to assist genuine schemes for progress.